ACA premium hikes would force painful choices: Survey
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About a third of people who get their health coverage through the Affordable Care Act would look for a cheaper plan if the enhanced subsidies expire — but a quarter would be very likely to just go without insurance, according to a new KFF survey.
Why it matters: The survey shows how people would try to minimize the pain if they have a big jump in ACA premiums next year — which is almost certain to happen since Congress looks increasingly unlikely to reach an agreement to extend the subsidies.
- The average out-of-pocket premium payments are expected to more than double — a 114% increase — without the enhanced subsidies, per KFF estimates.
By the numbers: 58% of people with ACA coverage said they wouldn't be able to afford a $300 increase in premium payments without a big disruption to their finances.
- Another 20% said they wouldn't be able to afford a $1,000 increase (which is possible, according to the KFF estimates).
- To soften the blow, 15% said they'd be very likely to look for another job that provides health coverage.
- Just 10% said they'd be very likely to stick with their ACA plan and eat the costs.
What we're watching: Both parties would get some blame if the premiums go up, but more people with ACA coverage would blame President Trump (37%) or congressional Republicans (33%) than Democrats (29%).
Methodology: The survey was conducted Nov. 7-15 online and by phone, in English and Spanish, among 1,350 U.S. adults with ACA coverage. The margin of error was 3 percentage points.
